OT-tutoring for gifted children

[taximomfor4]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments and advice. I think I will get in touch with DD's teacher this week (we have a snow day already annouced for tomorrow ) and see what she has observed specifically. Hopefully that will open the dialogue about DD's educational needs and we can move in the right direction. I haven't made a big deal with DD, just asked her about the situation once so she doesn't get more anxious about it. I feel that I can post about this topic here, as many parents at her school react very differently when you share your troubles about a "gifted child" . As someone mentioned, special needs are special needs no matter what they may be. Thanks again, I knew I'd find some great advice here.

You must live in my vicinity, because we already have a snowday announced as well. Our whole region does, I guess.

I have a dd who was younger than her grade-peers as well. Well, she still is, lol. If you ever want to pm me, feel free...there are challenges, even if it is the best placement.

Beth

 

[Aristomommy]

You must live in my vicinity, because we already have a snowday announced as well. Our whole region does, I guess.

I have a dd who was younger than her grade-peers as well. Well, she still is, lol. If you ever want to pm me, feel free...there are challenges, even if it is the best placement.

Beth

Hi Beth,

We must be in the same area, NE Ohio. It's weird for me to see a closure the day before, but I'll take it. DD is bummed because her flute lesson is cancelled also because that school is closed too.

 

[taximomfor4]

Hi Beth,

We must be in the same area, NE Ohio. It's weird for me to see a closure the day before, but I'll take it. DD is bummed because her flute lesson is cancelled also because that school is closed too.

Placing your bets on tomorrow yet? doesn't look like tomorrow morning will be ANY warmer -- the temp is supposed to creep up a couple degrees, but the wind chill is still supposed to be about -20.

We are in Lake County, so also getting snow and blowing-snow warnings now, too.

 

[Aristomommy]

Placing your bets on tomorrow yet? doesn't look like tomorrow morning will be ANY warmer -- the temp is supposed to creep up a couple degrees, but the wind chill is still supposed to be about -20.

We are in Lake County, so also getting snow and blowing-snow warnings now, too.

Summit county is closed tomorrow again !!!! I started seeing Cuyahoga county closings earlier and finally our school announced as well. I am sure you will be closed tomorrow....

 

[zoemurr]

It was interesting for me reading your post.. my DD turns 8 tomorrow and is also in the 3rd grade. She scored 100% on her Otis Lennon (IQ of 150+) and while she is happy at school I'm at a loss of what to do next, as I know she can be challenged much more. I was aware of the online classes.. but not sure I could talk DH into the price.

We have school cancelled tomorrow too and DD is so upset she won't be in school on her birthday. When I was 8 I would have been jumping up and down. I felt so bad for her though.

Good luck! I don't think most people understand that having a gifted child has many of the same challenges as having child with learning disabilities.

 

[taximomfor4]

It was interesting for me reading your post.. my DD turns 8 tomorrow and is also in the 3rd grade. She scored 100% on her Otis Lennon (IQ of 150+) and while she is happy at school I'm at a loss of what to do next, as I know she can be challenged much more. I was aware of the online classes.. but not sure I could talk DH into the price.

We have school cancelled tomorrow too and DD is so upset she won't be in school on her birthday. When I was 8 I would have been jumping up and down. I felt so bad for her though.

Good luck! I don't think most people understand that having a gifted child has many of the same challenges as having child with learning disabilities.

My dd is profoundly gifted (but also ADHD). My advice to you is: as long as she is happy where she is, leave it be. Perhaps give her interesting books about subjects she's interested in, etc. Just having things available will help enrich her. Time at museums, aquariums, etc.

JMO, and have fun, it's quite a ride!
Beth

 

[Aristomommy]

It was interesting for me reading your post.. my DD turns 8 tomorrow and is also in the 3rd grade. She scored 100% on her Otis Lennon (IQ of 150+) and while she is happy at school I'm at a loss of what to do next, as I know she can be challenged much more. I was aware of the online classes.. but not sure I could talk DH into the price.

We have school cancelled tomorrow too and DD is so upset she won't be in school on her birthday. When I was 8 I would have been jumping up and down. I felt so bad for her though.

Good luck! I don't think most people understand that having a gifted child has many of the same challenges as having child with learning disabilities.

It's funny you mention it, as DD was not as happy about snow day as I was. Yesterday she read through 3 chapter books, went skating and then started reading a book about fossils. I also spoke with a couple of homeschooling moms I know yesterday and found out that two of them recommended Calvert (sp?) reading curriculum. You can purchased just the books they recommend for each reading level, or they have supplemental math and science experiments. For DD extra work isn't punishment if she is interested in the topic. She would go crazy over science experiments. I will be checking into their materials, especially science and literature. HTH

 

[Aristomommy]

Just wanted to give an update as I spoke with DD's teacher and her gifted teacher. Her teacher wasn't concerned about math as the only area where she doesn't score advanced are timed tests. They are designed to keep children working the entire 5 minutes, so 100% is not realistic. DD tends to "stress out" because she expects to get 100% on all tests, but her teacher has explained that they look for progress, not a perfect score.

Her gifted teacher was also a wealth of information. She went over DDs written education plan, which I didn't even know existed yet. DD reads at 6th grade level and they are guiding her to choose books in that difficulty level. I would highly recommend everyone else to have a discussion with a gifted teacher in your school. It was such a great conversation to learn about DDs learning style, strength and weaknesses and learning in general.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Your DD sounds alot like me. I was gifted. I was in a special program one day a week as well. I knew the work but it was so boring having to wait for everyone to catch up. I also could not stand taking my time on tests (math in particular). Looking back I completely think I have a form of ADD. My DH will comfirm this. I cannot focus for long periods of time on too many things unless they are repetitive (like crocheting). I do love to read and most are amazed at how fast I do read. I would talk to the teacher and see what you can do together to find a way to help her stay focused. She will probably be a gifted musician (I started cello at age 8) so keep that going for her. One thing that we were told was that just because someone is gifted, they may never learn how to use that IQ. My Mom has a Mensa IQ and even back then when she was tested at Columbia University they told my grandmother that my Mom may never learn how to tap into her IQ. My Mom is very smart about many many things, but if you read something she wrote you would have serious doubts about her academic ability. She can't spell well and she cannot put words on paper well. I really think the big issue is finding a way for your DD to focus. It is possible that she has a form of ADD. I would look into it. Good luck and keep us posted. Just remember that it is just as frustrating for her as it is for you.

 

[hsmamato2]

To Op,I'm glad you're finding the support you need for your dd....another bit of advice,I know you have a lot of prescribed classes and activities already, but my best advice is to let your dd choose all the books she wants to read,on any level. I sort of cringe when I hear about kids being "guided" to the "grade level' of which they're capable of reading- it's great that she can read at a higher level,and if she can, the no matter what books she reads just for enjoyment, she won't "lose" her capabilities...
If she can read 6th grade now, probably by next year she'll be reading 10th grade level or more. I have a strong belief that reading is something deeply internal and personal(other than straight up schoolbooks), just be sure that with all this planing around her advanced capabilities,she doesn't lose the pure joy of coming out of the library with armloads of books that she's chosen all by herself.....
If some of them are 1st grade level,and some are a lot higher, that's ok too.
And... giftedness/high IQ's are really so subjective.... some brilliant people don't test well,or thrive in a school atmosphere,yet they are still brilliant. Think Thomas Edison or Einstein...
I have some family members too who are extremely high IQ(tested) yet have problems applying themselves practically in the "real world," It seems to me, the higher the IQ, the more difficulties one finds...maybe I'm wrong....I've been wrong a few times before...